1. What do you like? You may be the office party animal complete with recreational drug habit, but is your idea of a good time hell for your co-workers? Canvassing colleagues’ likes and dislikes and ensuring that managers agree to the plans also means that you won’t be held solely responsible for the party’s success.

2. Take your time. Summer lasts from early May to September, so don’t rush to book a venue, says Andrew McMorran, the managing director for Europe at RPMC, the event, marketing and promotion agency. “Don’t follow the crowd,” he says. “Go somewhere original where you can use your imagination.” Don’t be confined to a room with a bar and a kitchen.

3. Set fair. Have a wet-weather plan, says Sara Harrison, an events co-ordinator at Accolade Corporate Events. A boat is a good place to party, she says. “You can be indoors if the weather is poor and on deck if it’s sunny.”

4. When. Make it an afternoon affair, McMorran says. “Summer is about the daytime. It’s also a treat to give people an afternoon off,” he says. Ending the party at 5.30pm gives people the option to carry on socialising at their own expense so the party budget stretches a bit farther, he says.

5. Build expectations. Don’t e-mail an invitation detailing every aspect of the party, McMorran says. “Think of it as a marketing campaign and build excitement.” The event isn’t about having a few drinks and a good time, it’s about reinforcing the corporate brand.

6. Set the tone. “Office party” has awful connotations, says Peregrine Armstrong-Jones, of Bentley’s Entertainments, who has planned parties for the Beckhams and Elton John. “If you can plan it like a beautiful private party it will take the work side out if it and make it more relaxing,” he says. No detail should be overlooked, from dreaming up a summer punch to decorating the toilets.

7. Curly wig, anyone? “For heaven’s sake, don’t do fancy dress because not everyone will get into the spirit of it,” McMorran says. “But do have a theme, then it all hangs together.” James Bond or the Moulin Rouge are two corporate favourites.

8. I really love you . . . “Lots of organisations rely on alcohol to grease the wheels, but inhibitions can drop to inappropriate levels,” says Emma Kirk, a psychologist at Pearn Kandola, the occupational psychologists. She suggests quizzes between dinner courses to break down social barriers, rathre than tequila slammers, Jim Davidson or Twister.

9. Keep the speeches short. Office parties are all about staff motivation and retention so words of thanks from the powers-that-pay are crucial. Equally important is that they don’t intrude into quality enjoyment time. Schedule in a few words of welcome from the boss, not an after-dinner address.

10. Smile. It’s your party, you’re allowed to relax and have a good time, but go easy on the punch. Alcohol and adrenalin don’t mix.

PARTY ON

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